All meetings at the Vineyard:

	April 10, 2004:	Managing Difficult Behaviors and How to Eliminate Them! Sebastien Bosch – CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disorders)
	May 8, 2004:	Dr Christine Majors – Child Neuro-psychologist - What is in a test and outside evaluations? Why are they important? - Where should you start? And important observations about school district and Regional Center testing.
	June 12, 2004:	Speaker being confirmed
	June 19, 2004:	Dr Jerry Kartzinel: The latest in Biomedical Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders ($25 fee and reservations required – more info in MARCH).
	July 10, 2004:	Neurology & Autism: The latest findings in neurology and why genetics play an important role Sara Spence M.D., Ph.D. – UCLA Pediatric Neurology Director
	Much more is being planned for 2004! Stay tuned!

a) Frank Del Olmo – Award winning LA TIMES Author Dies

Our hearts are more broken. The earth is lighter and more unsteady because an old friend, a true friend, a father who could be counted on, a man who made his life matter in so many ways, has left it. Last week Frank Del Olmo died at the age of 55.

Many in Los Angeles know Frank as a journalist, and a leader in the Latino community. Many know him as a man of dignity, compassion and conviction. We know him that way too, but we are more fortunate because we knew Frank in his greatest capacity -- as Frankie Jr.'s dad and Magdalena Beltran's husband.

Frank had already accomplished much in his life, including having a daughter, Valentina, now a luminous young woman, when he met Magdalena. She is a force of nature. Fire to his cooler steel. Whether on the front lines or in the back room, they were something to contend with. They were engaged in each other and in the greater world, which they were determined to change for the better. Together they had a son, Frankie Jr. Together they learned that Frankie had autism. Together they devoted themselves to making Frankie's burden lighter.

And together they went so much further. For Frank, community was as essential as air, and when Frankie was diagnosed, he suddenly found himself in a new community. Within months of starting CURE AUTISM NOW, we met the Del Olmos. They fought alongside us when we were small; they provided leadership as we grew. Frank was so generous with money, time, influence and expertise. They brought in their entire circle of family and friends to help Frankie and to help us. We were lucky to have them in our corner.

The written word was Frank's weapon of choice. He knew the power of words to incite, and inspire, and when Frankie was diagnosed he used his power to bring light and help and hope to all the families affected by autism. Every year at Christmas, he wrote a column in the LA Times about his family and Frankie. Every year, we so eagerly awaited these columns. We read them twice; we passed them around and faxed them to friends. Though Frank was by temperament a reserved man, he opened his heart to the world in those columns and allowed us all to take a tour. He let us share in his family's struggles and their triumphs. Through the father's gaze, we saw Frankie's beautiful brown eyes, his bravery and good cheer. We lived their fears and applauded Frankie's progress as if he were our own.

Over the years the tone of Frank's columns began to change. There was always determination, but sadness was slowly moved aside for optimism and hope. As Frankie made progress, the always loving and proud father began to breathe a bit easier, to believe that a truly better, more able life was possible for Frankie. We thrilled to the change and knew that this story was possible in large measure because Frank forced it to be so with tenacity and will.

And suddenly Frank is gone. How could this happen? They say lightening doesn't strike twice, but we know the truth, lightening just strikes. It doesn't keep count. We can't explain it. We can't think our way out of this sadness. There is no sense to make of this sorrow.

But the thing about us is, we are a family. When we meet another parent we have only to speak for a moment before we feel that we have known each other for years. We are automatically, naturally intimate in ways that others do not understand. When we feel weak, we make each other strong. The Beltran-Del Olmos are our family. We claim them. Frankie Jr. and Magdalena, we love you so much. We will stand by your side, we will cry with you, and we will keep you company -- always.

From the CAN newsletter .. www.cureautismnow.org

b) Disability Programs Face Cuts Under Schwarzenegger's Budget Plan Autism Cited for Massive Drain on Budget

[By Associated Press.] http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/03/08/news/state/3_7_0421_55_06.txt

AP - Disabled people who rely on state services could face the biggest cuts to medical and home caregiver programs in more than a decade, according to a group that lobbies for the disabled.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed $880 million in cuts to the state Medi-Cal plan would siphon off nearly $600 million from programs that help the state's tens of thousands of disabled people. Those cuts include $454 million from an in-home caregiver's program and $136 million from regional centers that provide everything from transportation to housing.
"Singling out the people who are the most vulnerable and least likely to defend themselves, as opposed to people who don't share in this pain, isn't a solution," Virginia Knowlton of Protection and Advocacy, a lobbying group for the disabled, told the San Jose Mercury News. Gov. Gray Davis proposed similar cuts in the past, but they "weren't as draconian," she said.

State health officials say the cuts are needed to help address an estimated $15 billion state budget shortfall for 2004-2005.
Kim Belshe, secretary of the California Health and Human Service Agency, said the governor's budget plan trims the excess from programs that have ballooned.
"The governor has been very clear that his No. 1 priority is to restore California's business climate and economic competitiveness and get the state's fiscal house in order," Belshe said.
If enacted, the cuts would compound the effects of the federal Medicare law passed last year that some analysts say could allow insurance companies to limit the prescriptions available for disabled people and charge higher prices.
The disability programs being targeted by the governor have substantially grown in recent years.
The budget for the In-Home Supportive Services program, which hires caregivers to bathe and do grocery shopping for people with disabilities, has doubled since the end of Gov. Pete Wilson's administration in 1998.
Spending on the state's 21 regional centers has grown 40 percent, partly because the number of people diagnosed with conditions such as autism has skyrocketed.
Lawmakers say they will work with Schwarzenegger aides in coming weeks and make cuts in a way that prevents the disabled from losing any essentials.
"We want to mitigate the serious harm to the most vulnerable," said Assemblyman Darrel Steinberg, D-Sacramento, who is chair of the budget committee. "But we are in a terrible budget situation, and we need to look at waste and inefficiency to see if they are using their money wisely."
* * *

Budget News Effecting People With Disabilities And Families - Developmental Services Draft Parental Share Of Cost & POS Plans Released
ACTION ALERT! • Parental Cost Participation Assessment Proposal - Draft
Results of fMRI and Neuropsychologic Studies: An Emerging Integrated Model of Autism

Budget News Effecting People With Disabilities And Families - Developmental Services Draft Parental Share Of Cost & POS Plans Released

CA Disability Community Action Network - Linking people to disability rights
Issue #44-2004 CDCAN
Capitol News Report #44-2004: Budget News and Updates
From: martyomoto@rcip.com

The California budget process will begin moving into high gear, as hearings and special meetings on the budget are scheduled next week and for the rest of March and April, though no final action is expected to take place at any of these initial hearings or meetings. The California primary election, set for tomorrow, will have major impact this year on the state budget, with three ballot initiatives (Propositions 56, 57 and 58) that deal with the state budget.
Here are the developments regarding the state budget as people with developmental and other disabilities, people with traumatic brain injuries, the blind, the deaf, families, community groups and organizations, direct care and other workers are impacted:

Dept Of Developmental Services Releases Draft Plans For Family Share Of Cost & Purchase Of Service Standards By Tuesday

* As of March 1, the Department of Developmental Services released late today draft plans for public comment on parental/family share of cost implementation plan, and also another proposed plan to impose statewide standards for the portion of the regional center budget that funds community-based services and supports for children and adults with developmental disabilities (referred to as "purchase of services"). Both plans, including proposed legislative language, is available from the Department of Developmental Services' website at http://www.dds.cahwnet.gov/.
* Previous attempts by the Davis Administration to impose statewide standards for purchase of services were soundly rejected by both houses of the Legislature - with many advocates claiming that such standards - as proposed then, tied to major cuts in funding, would have had the impact of simply limiting, reducing or outright eliminating services and supports for children and adults with developmental disabilities, violating the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act. The Department of Developmental Services intends to propose a plan that addresses those issues.
* The Department of Developmental Services intends to submit a final recommendation of the parental/family share of cost plan, as required by the budget passed last July, by April 1. The Department however will make their recommended plan - to be implemented "locally", to the public for additional comment. The availability of the draft plan for the public to review before it is submitted to the Legislature was not originally planned for last December, with many advocates saying that they are appreciative of the additional time for public comment.
* Last July the Legislature and Governor approved the concept of imposing a parental payment plan requiring parents whose income was at or above 200% of the federal poverty level, to pay some undetermined portion of the community services used by their child with developmental disabilities (between ages of 3 and 17 years). That plan - the specifics still be approved by the Legislature, will go into effect July 1, 2004.
* The Department of Developmental Services was directed to present a implementation plan, after consulting with stakeholders, to the Legislature on or before April 1, 2004. [note: the Legislature can modify or change the plan, however]
* The Department of Developmental Services may hold at least one meeting for the public regarding these draft plans, though date and location have not been announced. In addition, the California Disability Community Action Network will devote a portion of its next statewide Disability Rights and Issues Town hall Tele-meeting on these two plans, in addition to the issue of In-Home Supportive Services. The town hall tele-meeting, the 8th in a series, is scheduled for March 15, Monday at 10 AM.

Assembly Schedules Special Meetings On Budget Issues
* The Assembly Budget Committee, chaired by Assembly member Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) will be holding six special meetings, open to the public, over the next several weeks focused on examining certain areas of state government for waste, fraud and the need for reforms that will produce budget savings. The special meetings are NOT hearings - and will NOT replace the Assembly budget subcommittee hearings that will occur in mid-March and April. [note: The Senate Budget subcommittee on Health and Human Services, Labor and Veterans, chaired by Sen. Wes Chesbro (D-Arcata), as already scheduled several hearings, including April 19th on developmental services, and April 22nd on In-Home Supportive Services.]
* The Assembly Budget Committee will hold these special meetings with the Governor's Department of Finance, and also with the Legislative Analyst Office and the State Auditor.
* The purpose and focus of these special meetings will be on service or system inefficiencies and inequities and not the specifics of eligibility and benefits or across the board cuts - issues that will be addressed in the budget subcommittees.
* While these special meetings are open to the public, it does not appear that public testimony will be allowed, as these meetings technically are not hearings. It is not clear if the full Assembly Budget Committee will be participating in all six special meetings.
* Five of the meetings (NOT hearings) will look for waste and duplication, and for efficiencies that can eliminate them and produce savings. The special meetings scheduled that impact people with disabilities (all at the State Capitol) are (meeting times can change): Mar 11 Thu Subject: regional centers that fund services and supports for children and adults with developmental disabilities Mar 22 Mon Subject: Medi-Cal fraud
* The remaining other topics for these special meetings are child care, state prisons, and state purchasing and technology procurement, and also a special meeting that will look at the state tax code with the focus on credits, deductions and exemptions. None of the subjects of these special meetings directly impact people with disabilities - though the enormous budget shortfalls in the California correctional system has a significant effect on state money available for health and human service programs.
* It is not certain yet what actions - if any - will actually be taken during these special meetings.

* MEDI-CAL Work Group Meetings Schedule To Be Announced
* The California Health and Human Services Agency, headed by Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Kim Belshe, held two community meetings with the people with disabilities, seniors, advocates and others, on January 26 and in early February to announce and answer questions on the process for developing a proposal for a major restructuring and reform of the Medi-Cal program.
* Any Medi-Cal reform plan would need the approval of both houses of the Legislature.

* Those meetings are to be followed by work group meetings on specific Medi-Cal Reform issues.
* As of March 1, the Department of Health Services, which is taking the lead in coordinating the meetings with the public, will be releasing a schedule of the work group sessions and the process in a few days - perhaps by the end of this week. The Department of Health hopes to have a schedule ready that will give people enough time to make plans to attend and participate.
* The Department of Health Services - as they did with the two community meetings, intends to allow persons who cannot physically attend the work group sessions to participate via conference call.
Marty Omoto, director/organizer California Disability Community Action Network 1225 8th Street Suite 480 Sacramento, CA 95814 VOICE PHONE: 916/446-0013 FAX number: 916/446-0026 email: martyomoto@rcip.com INFORMATION HOTLINE TOLL FREE NUMBER: 1-877-260-0267 (you cannot leave messages) SAME INFO HOTLINE FOR SACRAMENTO AREA: 486-4652 WEBSITE (under reconstruction - available soon!): www.cdcan.org

Attend These Meetings to Address These Issues

1. The services and supports that an adult or minor child regional center client may receive (draft Purchase of Service Standards and proposed trailer bill language); and

2. An extra charge on families caring for a disabled child between the ages of 3 and 17 (Parental Payment).

Below is text from a recent Urgent Alert on upcoming Advocacy Network Meetings in our local Tri-Counties Regional Center catchment area. We will be discussing and learning more about the current threats to Developmental Services.
ADVOCACY NETWORK MEETINGS

Topic: Strategies to address current budget cut proposals
affecting people with developmental disabilities and
their families - EVERYONE INVITED TO ATTEND!

Guest: Marty Omoto, Director of the California Disability Community Action (with speakers from stakeholder groups, including: The Arc of California, Area Board IX, The Leadership Project, California Rehabilitation Association, Tri-Counties Regional Center, etc.)

Learn More About:
* Current Budget Cut Proposals
* Local and Statewide Advocacy Efforts
* Local and Statewide Advocacy Networking
* How YOU can help
* Strategies and Timelines for Action
* Questions & Answers & Discussion

DEPT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES BRIEFING MARCH 9 TUESDAY

WHO: Department of Developmental Services (Cliff Allenby, Director)
WHEN: March 9, Tuesday morning from 10 AM to 12:00 PM
WHERE: Department of Developmental Services, 1600 9th Street, Room 360, Sacramento
WHAT:
* The meeting is only a briefing by the Department of Developmental Services to provide a "broad overview and the thinking behind" the proposals to impose parental payments or share of costs for regional center services that their children with developmental disabilities need, and also the statewide standards for the regional center purchase of services budget - the part of the budget that funds community-based services for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
* Space to this meeting is very limited.
* No decisions will be made at this meeting.
WHO THIS IMPACTS: Children and adults with developmental disabilities, their families, community
organizations who provide services/supports, direct care staff, regional centers, developmental centers, and other advocates
SHOULD PEOPLE COME TO THIS MEETING: If they are in the area and if RSVP. Not critical.
NEXT STEPS:
* The Department will, by April 1, submit to both houses of the Legislature, a final version of their recommendations for the parental/family payment implementation plan and the statewide standards for purchase of services (standards to limit spending of community-based funding).
* The Legislature must approve the plans for either to go into effect - and these issues will be heard during the regular budget hearings (see below)

ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING - MARCH 11

WHO: Assembly Budget Committee (special panel consisting of Democratic Assembly members Darrell Steinberg, chair; Assembly members Judy Chu, Mervyn Dymally, Barbara Matthews, Fran Pavley and one or morel Republican Assembly Budget Committee members. Matthews and Pavely are parents of children with developmental disabilities, and Mervyn Dymally heads the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services. Judy Chu formerly chaired that subcommittee and now heads the Assembly Appropriations Committee).
WHEN: March 11, Thursday morning from 9:30 AM to about 11:30 AM
WHERE: State Capitol in Room 437
WHAT:
* Strictly for informational purposes only by a special panel of the Assembly Budget Committee, chaired by Assembly member Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), to look at oversight issues related to developmental services. This is a meeting - not a hearing.
* The purpose of the meeting is to look at the broader oversight issues related to these proposals and to understand better what the Schwarzenegger Administration is proposing and what the specific budget savings total - if at all.
* Some of those issues include statewide purchase of service standards, parental payments for regional center services, regional center executive director salaries, unallocated (or unspecified) spending cut of $6.5 million to regional center operations, and the proposal to standardize rates for certain community-based programs for people with developmental disabilities.
* The meeting is not a hearing, and no public testimony or actions will be taken at the meeting, which is open to the public and is one of five or six in a series. The others include Medi-Cal fraud (scheduled for March 22).
* The meeting will include information on these issues from the Department of Finance, the Department of Developmental Services, the Legislative Analyst Office. The Association of Regional Center Agencies and possibly the state auditor might be called on at points for strictly technical information only.
* No decisions and no actions will be taken at this meeting - and this meeting will not replace the normal Assembly Budget subcommittee hearings on these issues.
WHO THIS IMPACTS: Children and adults with developmental disabilities, their families, community
organizations who provide services/supports, direct care staff, regional centers, developmental centers, and other advocates
SHOULD PEOPLE COME TO THIS MEETING: Yes, if they are in the area, but attendance is not critical at this particular meeting which is not a hearing. Several advocates, including CDCAN will monitor hearing and report out information from it immediately.
NEXT STEPS:
* The Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services will hold a regular budget hearing on these same issues - and allow for full public testimony, on April 26th, Monday at 4:00 PM.
* All the proposals by the Governor, as recommended by the Department of Developmental Services must be approved by both houses of the Legislature (see below)

Parental Cost Participation Assessment Proposal - Draft
[Released by the DDS Monday, March 1, 2004 4 p.m.]
http://www.dds.ca.gov/0405Proposals/PDF/FCPAP.pdf

Statewide purchase of services information (from Maureen Graves):

Statewide purchase of service standards for regional centers are back on the table. DDS's plan is to introduce these as regulations if the legislature permits it to. These would bar a variety of services and cut off appeal rights and service individualization requirements.

DDS responded to parents' and advocates' plea for time to make written comments on implementation of the parent co-pay for regional center services by giving us a draft of what they're going to propose to the legislature before it is finalized.

These delightful light reading materials are available at the Department of Developmental Services website:

Proposed statewide POS standards: http://www.dds.cahwnet.gov/0405Proposals/PDF/StatewideStandards.pdf

Proposed trailer bill language to allow implementation of statewide regional center service standards:
http://www.dds.cahwnet.gov/0405Proposals/PDF/TBL.pdf

Proposals for implementing parent co-pay (must be finalized and conveyed to legislature by 4/1/04):
http://www.dds.cahwnet.gov/0405Proposals/PDF/FCPAP.pdf

Like the last TACA Newsletter, there is a new controversy with vaccines – this time it involves Dr Wakefield and his MMR study. Here are a couple of the DOZENS of stories appearing is newspapers around the world.

Lancet MMR report invalid, says editor

06:00 - 21 February 2004

Eminent medical journal The Lancet has cast serious doubt on the paper it published six years ago which started the scare over the MMR jab.

The publication in 1998 of the study by Dr Andrew Wakefield and colleagues at London's Royal Free Hospital led to fears of a possible link between the measles, mumps rubella vaccine and autism, which continue to lead to reduced take-up of the vaccine today.

The Lancet said Dr Wakefield had been carrying out studies both for the Royal Free and for the Legal Aid Board which created the risk of a conflict of interest.
The journal rejected allegations, though, that ethics approval for the investigations on the children reported in the study had not been given.

Its editor Richard Horton told BBC TV News: "If we knew then what we know now, we certainly would not have published the part of the paper that related to MMR, although I do believe there was, and remains, validity to the connection between bowel disease and autism, which does need further investigation, but I believe the MMR element of that is invalid."

Dr Wakefield said in a statement to the editors of The Lancet: "The clinical and pathological findings in these children stand as reported."

He added: "My colleagues and I have acted at all times in the best medical interests of these children and will continue to do so."

The journal's editors said that on Wednesday they were made aware of serious allegations, put to them by investigative reporter Brian Deer working for The Sunday Times, of research misconduct concerning the article.
They rejected claims that ethics approval for the investigations conducted on the children reported in the study had not been given.

They also dismissed an allegation that the children were not consecutively referred to the hospital, but instead invited to participate by Dr Wakefield and Professor John Walker-Smith, thus biasing the selection of children in favour of families reporting an association between their child's illness and the MMR vaccine

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March 4, 2004
Researchers Retract a Study Linking Autism to Vaccination – FROM THE NY TIMES
By ANAHAD O'CONNOR

Ten of the 13 scientists who produced a 1998 study linking a childhood vaccine to several cases of autism retracted their conclusion yesterday.

In a statement to be published in the March 6 issue of The Lancet, a British medical journal, the researchers conceded that they did not have enough evidence at the time to tie the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, known as MMR, to the autism cases. The study has been blamed for a sharp drop in the number of British children being vaccinated and for outbreaks of measles.

" We wish to make it clear that in this paper no causal link was established between MMR vaccine and autism as the data were insufficient," the researchers said in the retraction. "However, the possibility of such a link was raised and consequent events have had major implications."

The study came under fierce criticism last month when the editor of the Lancet said that the lead author of the report, Dr. Andrew Wakefield had failed to reveal that he had a conflict of interest when he conducted the research. At the time, the journal editors said, Dr. Wakefield was also gathering information for lawyers representing parents who suspected their children had developed autism because of the vaccine.

In a statement published on the Lancet's Web site on Feb. 23, Dr. Richard Horton, the journal's editor, wrote: "We regret that aspects of funding for parallel and related work and the existence of ongoing litigation that had been known during clinical evaluation of the children reported in the 1998 Lancet paper were not disclosed to editors."

After the 1998 study appeared, British health officials pleaded with parents to continue vaccinating their children, and a number of other studies were unable to confirm a link between autism and the MMR vaccine.

Dr. Wakefield, who could not be immediately reached for comment, hired a lawyer to demand an apology from the Lancet after the journal released its statement last month, said Dr. Jeff Bradstreet, a colleague.

Dr. Bradstreet, director of the International Child Development Resource Center in Florida, said that Dr. Wakefield had not become involved with the lawyers representing the parents until after the study had essentially been finished. "This has been blown way out of proportion," he said.

In the statement released yesterday, the researchers said that they could not reach one author of the study to ask if he wished to participate in the retraction. Two other authors, including Dr. Wakefield, did not sign the statement, according to the Lancet.

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Dr Wakefield: His Side of The Story

Many of you will know that Dr Andrew Wakefield, who pioneered research into a link between autism and the MMR vaccine, was strongly attacked in the London Sunday Times the other week, as reported in the previous E-News. In particular he was criticized for receiving funds from a legal aid charity that was representing parents of children who were possibly injured by the vaccine. His statement follows in full. Please circulate it as widely as you can.

"Serious allegations have been made against me and my colleagues in relation to the provision of clinical care for children with autism and bowel disease, and the subsequent reporting of their disease. These allegations have been made by journalist Brian Deer who has expressed, in front of witnesses, his aim of destroying me.

All but one of the allegations, which are grossly defamatory, have been shown to be baseless. One allegation remains against me personally. That is, that I did not disclose to the Lancet that a minority of the 12 children in the 1998 Lancet report were also part of a quite separate study that was funded in part by the Legal Aid Board.

It is the Lancet's opinion but not mine that such a disclosure should have been made since it may have been perceived as a conflict of interest. This is despite that fact that the funding was provided for a separate scientific study.

It needs to be made clear that the funds from the Legal Aid Board were not used for the 1998 Lancet study, and therefore I perceived that no financial conflict of interest existed.

The Lancet defines a conflict of interest as anything that might embarrass the author if it were to be revealed later. I am not embarrassed since it is a matter of fact that there was no conflict of interest. I am, however, dismayed at the way these facts have been misrepresented.

Whether or not the children's parents were pursuing, or intended to pursue litigation against the vaccine manufacturers, had no bearing on any clinical decision in relation to these children, or their inclusion in the Lancet 1998 report.

It is a matter of fact that there was no conflict of interest at any time in relation to the medical referral of these children, their clinical investigation and care, and the subsequent reporting of their disease in the Lancet.
As far as the 1998 Lancet report is concerned, it is a matter of fact that we found and reported inflammation in the intestines of these children.

The grant of £55,000 was paid not me but to the Royal Free Hospital Special Trustees for my research group to conduct studies on behalf of the Legal Aid Board. These research funds were properly administered through the Royal Free Hospital Special Trustees.

The Legal Aid research grant to my group was used exclusively for the purpose of conducting an examination of any possible connection between the component viruses of the MMR - particularly measles virus - and the bowel disease in these children. This is entirely in line with other studies that have been funded by the Legal Aid Board (latterly the Legal Services Commission) and reported in the BMJ. If and when this work is finally published, due acknowledgement will be made of all sources of funding.

It is unfortunate that, following full disclosure of these facts to the editor of the Lancet, he stated that in retrospect he would not have published facts pertinent to the parent's perceived association with MMR vaccine in the 1998 Lancet report. Such a position has major implications or the scientific investigation of injuries that might be caused by drugs or vaccines, such as Gulf War Syndrome and autism, where possible victims may be seeking medical help and also legal redress.

Health Secretary John Reid has called for a public enquiry. I welcome this since I have already called for a public enquiry that addresses the whole issue in relation vaccines and autism.

It has been proposed that my role in this matter should be investigated by the General Medical Council (GMC). I not only welcome this, I insist on it and I will be making contact with the GMC personally, in the forthcoming week.
This whole unpleasant episode has been conflated to provide those opposed to addressing genuine concerns about vaccine safety with an opportunity of attacking me - an attack that is out of all proportion to the facts of the matter.
I stand by everything that I have done in relation to the care, investigation and reporting of the disease that I and my colleagues have discovered in these desperately ill children.

My family and I have suffered many setbacks as a direct consequence of this work. As a family, we consider that our problems are nothing compared with the suffering of these children and their families. For the sake of these children, this work will continue."

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Jeanmarie Creations, a gift bag manufacturer, has offered to create a line of bags for Christmas ‘04 using art from our kids. The royalties from these bag sales will go directly to Cure Autism Now (CAN).

I am asking for your help. Can I get you to have your kid create one drawing and send it to me? It's real simple, we need drawings:

- 8 1/2" by 11" or larger
- Pictures of anything Christmas - snowman, trees, gifts, sledding, etc.
- the first name and age of the artist

It may be tough to get the kids in the mood so long after the Holiday, but maybe you have something they did during the season.

I see this bag line as being great for our kids for two reasons:

1) It gives our family and friends a chance to show their support. So often I hear that friends and family are looking for some way to show they support us. These bags allow them to deliver presents with art made by our kids, talk to other people about autism and show their support.

2) It adds a new dimension to how the public sees Autism. ALL of the media information about our kids focuses on images of vacuous stares and stimming behavior. This art is a way of communicating to everyone that our kids have talent and potential, which we can help bring out.

Please send what you can as soon as possible to:

Marc Hamilton
15927 Overton St.
Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Many thanks,
Marc
714 206 8502

Coffee Talk is going to be your hour (or so) once the kids are away at school to chat with other families affected by Autism. This is an unstructured, casual meeting environment to chat and talk about what you want to talk about.

Date: Tuesday, March 16th
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Location: Diedrich Coffee – Costa Mesa
1170 Baker Street (off the 405 freeway and Fairview Street)

NO need to RSVP, just join us for a little coffee, a little talk, no big whoop!

Here is a list of activities FOR APRIL

1. CAN WalkNOW April 17th
   info: www.cureautismnow.org / www.walknow.org
2. Project SEA Walkathon April 24th
   info: www.projectsea.org
3. Power of 1.5 Rally in Washington DC April 21-23
   info: www.unlockingautism.org

Radio Program on Autism:
April 12, from 1 pm – 2 pm ET (WMNF 88.5FM). The show is on medicine, is hosted by Carol Roberts, MD, and is also heard on the Internet at www.WMNF.org. The first half of the show is talk, the second half listeners call in with questions. The show is based in Florida, but with the Internet can be heard anywhere. Speakers include: Dr Jeff Bradstreet, attorney Jim Donnelly and our very own MARY ROMANIEC (parent to Daniel).

RDI Program - Beginning Seminar for Professionals
Presented by Drs. Steve Gutstein and Rachelle Sheely, both theoretical and practical, this four-day seminar focuses on RDA administration.9:30-3:30 Mar 9- Mar 12 Los Angeles
Ana Hermosilla
www.rdiconnect.com
hermosilla@rdiconnect.com
713-838-1362 Ext 105
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Asperger Syndrome/High Functioning Autism Parent Support Group
The AS/HFA Parent Support Group meets at Saddleback Church on the second Monday of the month, in Room 310 between 7 and 9pm, except in December and August. As special speakers are confirmed, they will be listed on this page. The dates for 2004 are: March 10, April 14, May 19 (this is the third Monday in May!), June 9, July 14, September 8, October 13, and November 10 - Meetings By Dr Kyle Pontius – for more info: http://home.pacbell.net/drkyle/
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Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) 2-Day Workshop – San Diego
March 15 & 16, 2004: Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) 2-Day Workshop Presented by Donna Banzhof, M.Ed. and Christine Cavarretta, BCBA
Holiday Inn Mission Bay Sea World
$375 professional tuition, $235 parent/student tuition, includes 2nd Edition PECS Manual and handout packet for note taking Sara Moore at smoore@pecs.com or 302-368-2515. Mention Sara Moore on your registration form and receive a $20 discount on the one-day workshops and a $30 discount on the two-day workshops.
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Workshop 4: Teaching Verbal Behavior to Children with Autism and other Developmental Disabilities
Hands-on workshop for Tutors and Therapists
March 22- 24, 2004 in Southern California (most likely Torrance or Redondo Beach)? We will have only 21 openings. More details to come.
For more info: Sabrina Y. Marasovich, M.A., Board Certified
Resources in Autism Education - (310) 320-5856
web: www.autismed.com
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Estate Planning Seminar When: Thursday, April 22, 2004
MetLife, as well as Attorney Chris Poulos will discuss the importance of a special needs trust, and other aspects of planning and protecting the future of a loved one with a developmental disability.
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Locale: Regional Center of Orange County-East Area Office, 801 Civic Center Drive, Board Room B, Santa Ana, Cost: FREE Reservations (English recording) can be made by calling (714) 796-5100 ext. 5904.
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Academy of Private Practice SLP Annual Clinical Conference Sensory Integration and the DIRtm model
presented by Rosemary White, OTR.
Apr 22 Los Angeles
$190 by April 1st
Marina Del Rey Hotel
Mindy - web www.aappspa.org / email - aappspa@aol.com / phone: 805-497-7661
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Autism Conference announced for Southern California by CASD.
Location: Long Beach – May 14-16
Watch web site for speaker list: http://www.casdweb.org/index.htm
If you have questions or would like more information, please email the director at kazuko@grandecom.net.
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Autism One Conference
MAJOR conference in CHICAGO, IL. Yes, that is far, but the speaker lineup and content is AMAZING. Largest amount of speakers and variety of topics! For more details: www.autismone.org
Dates: May 27-30, 2004.
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Autism/Asperger's 2004 CEUs for ASHA & APA
Tony Attwood, Ph.D. offers the 2nd in his Asperger's Workshop series, going in-depth on "Behavior & Anger Management, Challenges of Adolescence, Pre-Teen & Teens, and New Perspectives on Turning Special Interests into Positives." 8 am -4:30 pm
Jul 31, San Bernardino Prof.$135 (group rate Prof $115- Student/Family Member $110 (Fam. group rate $95) Person w/ ASD $75 Please see web site for up-dates. Future Horizons 800-489-0727
www.FutureHorizons-autism.com and email: info@FutureHorizons-autism.com
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DAN! (Defeat Autism NOW!) CONFERENCE UPDATE:
Spring DAN! Washington D.C. - April 16-18
Fall DAN! Los Angeles, CA - October 1-3
Watch www.autism.com/ari for more details!